Reading Teacher Writes

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Tag Archives: Elly Swartz


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IMWAYR: Down, But I Can Read

IMWAYR is a weekly blog hop with kid lit co-hosts Jennifer from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers. The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It’s a great way to share what you’re reading and get recommendations from others. We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs each week.

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I’m down this week! ILearn testing begins tomorrow and I stayed home with a migraine today, AND I did something to my wrist and can barely type. I CAN read, though! Pictures below.

Physical Books:

Libro.fm:

NetGalley:

It’s Monday! What are YOU reading?

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IMWAYR: Back After Spring Break

IMWAYR is a weekly blog hop with kid lit co-hosts Jennifer from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers. The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It’s a great way to share what you’re reading and get recommendations from others. We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs each week.

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The Bad News: Spring break was much too short and the weather was not the best. The Good News: I had plenty to read! It’s Poetry Month, so I’ve been digging into former poetry reads and finding new ones. I also had time to listen on Libro.fm and open NetGalley again.

Physical Books: My poetry reads included Alive At The End Of The World by Saeed Jones, Glory in the Margins: Sunday Poems by Nikki Grimes, and How to Write a Poem by Kwame Alexander, Deanna Nikaido, and illustrated by Melissa Sweet.

Libro.fm: I’ve been listening to Hope Wins: A Collection of Inspiring Stories for Young Readers, edited by Rose Brock, narrated by various voices and I just downloaded the long-awaited Harvest House by Cynthia Leitich Smith, narrated by Shaun Taylor-Corbett and Charley Flyte.

NetGalley: I’m still not good at reading on NetGalley, but I saw some favorite authors this week, so I’m motivated. Hidden Truths by Elly Swartz, History Smashers: Christopher Columbus and the Taino People by Kate Messner and Jose Barreiro, and Only Only Marisol Rainey by Erin Entrada Kelly are books I cannot wait to add to the library this fall.

It’s Monday! What are YOU reading?


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IMWAYR: Holiday Happiness = Reading!

IMWAYR is a weekly blog hop with kid lit co-hosts Jennifer from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers. The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It’s a great way to share what you’re reading and get recommendations from others. We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs each week.

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I spent time reading picture books to fill my soul with holiday cheer. You know me. “Picture Books are Perfect!” I updated my Goodreads account with a few, so far: Bright Star by Yuyi Morales, Where Three Oceans Meet by Rajani LaRocca and Archana Sreenivasan, Simon at the Art Museum by Christiana Soontornvat and Christine Davenier, The Barnabus Project by the Fan Brothers, and Little Brown by Marla Frazee. This week I’m reading Winter Bees and Other Poems of the Cold by Joyce Sidman and Rick Allen, The Upper Case: Trouble in Capital City by Tara Lazar and Ross MacDonald, Hear My Voice/Escucha Mi Voz by Warren Binford for Project Amplify, Thank You, Dr. Salk! by Dean Robbins and Mike Dutton, We Are Still Here: Native American Truths Everyone Should Know (again!) by Traci Sorell and Frané Lessac, and Ode to an Onion: Pablo Neruda & His Muse by Alexandria Giardino and Felicita Sala.

NetGalley: I LOVED Dear Student by Elly Swartz! This gem doesn’t come out until February, 2022, but I was lucky to read it early. You’re going to love Autumn and her family and friends. Preorder this one for your Valentines!

Libro.fm: I’m still listening to Taste by Stanley Tucci. I haven’t finished because I’m lazy and I haven’t turned it on since before Thanksgiving. I like it; I need to finish this one! I also found Egg Marks the Spot (Skunk and Badger #2) by Amy Timberlake (and Jon Klassen) quite entertaining!

It’s Monday! What are YOU reading?


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IMWAYR: November! Reading Until the End of the Year (Part 2)

IMWAYR is a weekly blog hop with kid lit co-hosts Jennifer from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers. The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It’s a great way to share what you’re reading and get recommendations from others. We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs each week.

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The books I have read recently are all so wonderful! I would recommend any of them to anyone! I finished Change Sings, The Magical Imperfect, Battle of the Bands (story collection), Too Bright To See, Ezra and the Mouse: The Search for Lafayette, and Say It Out Loud. I listened to Taste. (I dreamed of traveling to Italy to eat all that wonderful food for myself!) Now I’m starting the next set of titles and that should take me through the end of the year. So much to read! So little time! (And don’t look at my Goodreads account. It’s not updated. I really need to do better with tracking next year.) I’ll be attending NCTE’s Annual Conference this week and I’ll be off for Thanksgiving next week, so I won’t post next Monday. Stay tuned…the first week of December I’ll be back with more reading fun. Happy Holidays!

It’s Monday! What are YOU reading?


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IMWAYR: Book Mail!

The book mail I received today is FIRE! Thank you Elly Swartz and Paula Chase for the wonderful gifts, which will go to students soon. I can’t wait to show them these awesome titles!

I will finish listening to Charming as a Verb tonight. It’s such a good book! (No spoilers here!) Then tomorrow on my commute I’ll start The Trial of the Chicago 7 on Libro.fm. Look at all those narrators — an all-star line-up! I’m looking forward to this one. (The movie is on Netflix, but I’ll wait for that until after the book.)

It’s Monday! What are YOU reading?

 


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Book Review: Give and Take by Elly Swartz

I was honored to receive an advanced reader copy of Give and Take by Elly Swartz (thank you, #booksojourn and Macmillan Publishers) and I was inspired! If you haven’t yet, pre-order this phenomenal middle grade novel. You won’t be disappointed.

About Give and Take: Maggie is a caring 12-year-old who loves her family and friends. Her daily life includes trapshooting with her friends at school (with her dad as the coach) and helping to care for Isabella, the family’s foster baby. Maggie has 2 brothers, as well, who give her a run for her money. Maggie would love to call Izzy her sister, but mom and dad made it clear that this is a temporary arrangement.

“Temporary” haunts Maggie — her grandmother recently passed, and didn’t remember her in the end. This devastates Maggie, and the thought of giving up another family member is too much. Maggie is obsessed with remembering every conversation, encounter, and memory that is important to her. Maggie doesn’t want to make the same “mistake” as her grandmother, so she collects artifacts in boxes and places them in her closet and under her bed. Even baby Izzie’s sock and pacifier sit in a new box of memories.

When Mom finds Maggie’s overwhelming secret stashes, she is more than concerned about the anxiety that has taken over her daughter’s mind. With the help of a doctor, family, and friends, Maggie must learn to cope with life’s give and take. With Izzie leaving to go to her forever family soon, it’s not going to be easy for Maggie to let go of anything.

Why I Loved Give and Take by Elly Swartz: I learned about the sport of trapshooting, child hoarding, and more about life as a foster family member. I was rooting for Maggie (and her friends) the whole time, and also got to relive a little bit of middle school (for better or worse!). This story is one that appeals to readers of all ages.

Why You Should Read Give and Take: Everyone will find something in common with Maggie, Mom, Dad, or her brothers. The family dynamics are realistic and well-written. The back matter includes information and resources that help families; I love “further reading” opportunities.

This book is an inspiring story of family, friendships, and growing up. Read Give and Take — take the story into your heart, and give the book to your friends when you’re done reading. (Due from FSG Books for Young Readers on October 15, 2019)